Asian stock markets had a tough January so far: Indexes around the region have been falling and our Singaporean Straits Times Index is below 2,600 points at the moment. Now we should all panic and run around with our heads on fire, right?

The internet is full of personal finance blogs, but not all are created equal. What makes a personal finance blog interesting? The answer to this question is always subjective, but for me it is: Good and personal stories, helpful advice, solid analysis and fresh new ideas presented in a clear format without too much intrusive advertising.

Being fat and broke used to be two of my key challenges in April 2013. I happily spent my entire paycheck each and every month and always wondered why I could not lose weight or why I was always broke at the end of the month. Curiously I tackled both problems successfully in the same way…

Two steps forward, one step back. Sometimes investing in the stock market feels like a Sisyphus task with previous gains being wiped out by recent falls. The key is to stay positive and in the game for the long term. How did my portfolio fare in November?

September was a month for emerging market bears. Stocks remained under pressure and the overall mood is getting worse with lots of negative news crowding the headlines while our little island is covered in persistent, unhealthy haze. How did my portfolio develop in these tough times?